A cakewalk is a fair description of Un Beau Roman s success in the opening Bet At Toals Bookmakers On-Course SP Shop Maiden Hurdle at Downpatrick.

We might predominantly think of deep ground when French-imports come to mind but the previously disappointing Un Beau Roman came alive on the better surface here.

Always on the pace, Ruby Walsh's mount looked a winner barring accidents from quite a way out.

A bit untidy two out, the 4/1 shot (from 5s on track), flew the last and breezed home to see off Shershewill by an unflattering sixteen lengths.

Walsh revealed of the Willie Mullins-trained winner: "We thought he was a racehorse going to Tramore the first day and he didn't stay at Clonmel the last day.

"You couldn't believe the difference between what he does at home and what he'd been doing on the track. A summer horse is what he probably is." (MG & EM)